by FilmInk Staff
Following critical and audience success in 2024, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has partnered with SBS On Demand and DocPlay again this year to showcase a selection of curated student documentaries on both platforms.
Fifteen short documentaries produced by AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students will premiere on SBS on Demand and six short documentaries produced by AFTRS Master of Arts Screen: Documentary students and alumni will screen on DocPlay.
One of the films, Chinatown’s Last Emperor, won the Best Australian Documentary Film award at the Doc.Sydney festival and has been submitted for the student category in the Oscars®. Chinatown’s Last Emperor was written and directed by Tyler Kang and produced by Paris Piccolo, both AFTRS BA students. A second film Reel Equality, written and directed by Meisha Lowe and produced by Jasmine Russell, was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the Sydney Women’s International Film Festival; and Empress, directed by Lucien Jones and produced by Chhayly Moek, both AFTRS Masters students, premiered at this year’s Mardi Gras Film Festival.
For the SBS On Demand showcase, AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students were invited to submit short-form documentaries that explore perspectives on contemporary Australia and tell authentic, diverse stories, often from parts of our society underrepresented on screen.
SBS On Demand and World Movies programmer Alex Walkden said: “SBS On Demand is thrilled to continue our ongoing partnership with AFTRS to deliver a collection of bold, boundary-pushing, and distinctly Australian stories. These short films don’t just entertain – they inform, provoke, and challenge expectations with purpose and originality. Each project is a testament to the creativity of emerging Australian documentary makers, and we’re constantly inspired by the distinctive voices and fresh perspectives they bring to the screen. This year’s showcase is no exception – a vibrant lineup that demands attention and promises impact. We’re proud to champion the next generation of storytellers and to offer their work alongside our slate of world-class documentaries and series.”
DocPlay Executive Rufus Richardson said: “As Australia’s only dedicated documentary streaming service, DocPlay is thrilled to once again partner with AFTRS in bringing this collection of entertaining and informative short-form documentaries to Australian audiences. The quality of emerging talent in this showcase stood out to us from the start, and the filmmakers have explored a diverse range of topics and issues with empathy, compassion and insight.”
AFTRS Discipline Lead, Documentary, Richard Welch, said: “The dynamic world of documentary filmmaking means it’s crucial that AFTRS provides real world, direct-to-audience pathways that empower students to be future-ready and equipped to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the industry. Collaborating with SBS on Demand and DocPlay – leaders in championing diverse documentary voices – brings these incredible films to audiences across the country, shaping the future of Australian documentary storytelling.”
AFTRS Documentary Showcase is available to stream free from June 26 on SBS On Demand HERE and on DocPlay HERE.
The films screening on SBS on Demand are:
Can I touch Your Hair
Writer/Director – Saskia Faniis
Producer – Chiara Hochstadt
Chinatown’s Last Emperor
Writer/Director – Tyler Kang
Producer – Paris Piccolo
Heart and Neo-soul
Writer/Director – Spencer Dejanovic
Producer – Elle Charalambu
Lines In The Sanctuary
Writer/Director – Tyler Pease
Producer – Alex Maxwell
Living In Limbo
Writer/Director – Zabi Malik
Producer – Meisha Lowe
Over The Rainbow
Writer/Director – Akaysha Morgan
Producer – Skye Netting
Reel Equality
Writer/Director – Meisha Lowe
Producer – Jasmine Russell
Revolver
Writer/Director – Charles Perkins
Producer – Finbar Murphy
Street City
Director – Awdesh Al-Zebaree
Producer – Tyler Kang
Sweet Like Honey
Writer – Kristin Beukes
Director – Jordan Fox
Producer – Kavyaa Gohil
That’s How We Roll
Director – Jemma Tainsh
Producer – Louis Vahl
The Dirty Half Mile
Writer/Director – Madison McCreath
Producer – Charlie Varcoe
Threads of Identity
Director – Poppy Grant
Producer – Louis Cheval
Trust
Writer/Director – Tegan Geelie Rose
Producer – Chiara “Chess” Metters
Wog
Writer/Director – Paris Piccolo
Producer – Alex Maxwell
The films to screen on DocPlay are:
Waves of Change: Saving Sydney’s Sharks
Directors – Anneke De Bruin/David Priestly
Producer – David Priestly
Don’t Call it a Comeback
Director/Producer – Lucien Jones
Empress
Director – Lucien Jones
Producer – Chhayly Moek
Red Spice
Writer/Director – Michelle Kaldy
Producer – Ricky James
Messenger of the Bees
Director/Producer – Anneke de Bruin
Shane
Director – Alex Vaughan
